Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 Versus EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 versus EltaMD, Inc UV Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 40. This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract and Tetrapeptide-30 to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range, though its SPF isn't confirmed on file yet. Water C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Zinc Oxide Titanium Dioxide Glycerin Isononyl Isononanoate Butylene Glycol Cetearyl Alcohol Potassium Cetyl Phosphate Dimethicone Glyceryl Stearate Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Tetrapeptide-30 Linoleic Acid Resveratrol Ascorbyl Glucoside Niacinamide Tocopheryl Acetate Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Bisabolol Tocopherol Phospholipids Lecithin Glycine Soja Sterols Xanthophylls Pullulan Sodium Gluconate Xanthan Gum Sclerotium Gum Alumina Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Citric Acid Triethoxycaprylylsilane C13-14 Isoparaffin Acrylates Copolymer Polyhydroxystearic Acid Caprylyl Glycol Polyacrylamide Ceteareth-20 Aluminum Stearate Laureth-7 Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tetrapeptide-30, Linoleic Acid, Resveratrol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Phospholipids, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Xanthophylls, Pullulan, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Alumina, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Ceteareth-20, Aluminum Stearate, Laureth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol Zinc Oxide 9% Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% Petrolatum Isopropyl Palmitate Cetearyl Glucoside Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Polyisobutene PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether Sodium Hyaluronate Polyether-1 Oleth-3 Phosphate Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate Zinc Oxide 9%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Water, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyether-1, Citric Acid, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons: Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients. Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane. What it does: Dimethicone comes in different viscosities: Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties. Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient. Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin